Canadian Legislative News

With Canadian election taking place today, October 21, all federal parties have either laid out their platforms or have highlighted various commitments with regards to specific issues, including the environment, economy, foreign policy, and immigration. The Federal Party Leaders participated in a series of English- and French-language debates where the parties’ stance on said issues were discussed at length.

The environment is a central issue for Canadian voters in this election cycle. All parties have made commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and revealed plans to tackle pollution and climate change in Canada. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Green Party have committed to phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles in the next 20 years while the Liberals promise to build more charging stations in Canada and enhance the federal government’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) incentive program. This would be achieved by providing a rebate for used ZEVs.

The Conservatives have committed to scrapping the carbon tax if elected and set emissions standards for major emitters that produce more than 40-kilotons per year of greenhouse gases. The party would also negotiate regulatory changes that would increase the energy efficiency of cross-border trucking while encouraging research and development in eco-friendly modes of transportation. While the Tories do not have any specific plan regarding zero-emission vehicles, the party has vowed to keep the current level of funding for the federal rebate program.

Concerning the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the Liberals and the Conservatives support the deal and would move with ratification as a priority if elected. The NDP and the Greens would renegotiate along with the U.S. Congress sections of the deal related to labor rules and the pharmaceutical industry. As it stands, the polls suggest a minority government taking shape. The possibility of a coalition government has been discussed between the NDP, the Greens, and the Liberals. In this scenario, the renegotiation of the USMCA may become a sticking point for these parties. A lot remains uncertain about the fate of the trade deal, particularly in the United States. However, the automotive industry and fleets continue to be protected from "section 232" tariffs.

The environment and climate change remain important issues in this federal election and the parties’ positions on this matter could have a potential impact on fleets, fleet managers, and NAFA members across Canada. NAFA's Canadian counsel will continue to monitor any policy development in this area and engage with key decision-makers on these issues of importance to the industry.